I noticed that at the Kentucky derby all the spectators wear hats. Is this tradition.?

Question

I noticed that at the Kentucky derby all the spectators wear hats. Is this tradition.?

Answer 1

it most certainly is along with mint juleps

Answer 2

Yes, it's tradition. Over the top dress at the track in general is tradition at Derby. Men may wear sports jackets with horses instead of pinstripes. Ties are a big deal. Women put together entire outfits just for Derby. It's all done in fun. Godged, I don't know where you got that "story", but I'm a long time Louisville resident, and I've NEVER heard of any such thing. You got to realize that there's two different crowds at Derby. There's the folks who sit in the sky-boxes and grandstands, and then there's the infield. You dress up for the grandstands and boxes, the infield is "clothing optional". ; ) Some folks in the infield build their own hats for Derby. It's a take off on the big spring hats the ladies in the grandstands wear. I've seen folks with replicas of Churchill Downs, complete with the twin spires on their craniums.

Many of the hats you see on the ladies were bought at auction for charity. They have this huge event each year with designers donating their creations to go to the highest bidder.

You gotta remember that Derby is all about getting together and having a great time. The closest thing I could compare it to would be Madre Gras. The race is just a bonus. The rest of the Triple Crown is more about the horses. Derby's the biggest and best party of the three...by FAR.

Answer 3

Very much so.  It is part of the southern tradition for ladies to dress up and wear a hat when they attend a horse race and the Derby is the cream of the crop in the south.  In the infield you have guys that wear outragious hats as well but they are just looking for attention.  Women will pay anywhere from 20-1000 for those hats and a lot of those worn by celebreties are auctioned off after.

Answer 4

It is a HUGE tradition.  I have read that it was started by the southern belles who wanted their skin to stay lily white, but wanted to be seen at the races.  Then there became a fascination with having the most delightful hat.

Personally, I don't think I could wear one of those goofy things.